Substance Use and Support Resources
The providers at Welty Health and Counseling Center are here to support you no matter what kind of relationship you have with substances. Wherever you are, we want to support you and your well-being. Both Narcan and Fentanyl Test Strips are available free of charge to all members of the Whitman community at various locations around campus, including Welty Health and Counseling Center and Reid Campus Center.
Below are links to online self-assessment tools that may be helpful to you in putting your alcohol or other drug use into perspective. No alcohol or drug screening instrument can diagnose whether you have (or whether a friend has) a problem, but sometimes a screen may help you reflect more clearly on your use.
If you are concerned about your drinking or drug use, we encourage you to explore the issues with an experienced counselor or physician. You can come to Welty Health and Counseling Center and meet with one of our providers for no charge. Untreated drug and alcohol problems can put you and others at risk for serious harm; it never hurts to look a little deeper.
Resources in the Walla Walla area:
- Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings in Walla Walla may be found on several websites including:
- LifeRing: For information about the Walla Walla meeting, email: liferingww@gmail.com.
- Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meetings in Walla Walla may be found on several websites including:
Additional Information
The staff of the Counseling Center have a very high level of concern for and respect toward the confidentiality of individuals receiving services from this office. Staff collect, record and store client information only as needed for the effective and legal provision of services. All information is considered privileged and is maintained as confidential, consistent with ethical guidelines as well as the Washington State and federal statutes. The services of the Counseling Center are separate from any other student records kept at Whitman College. Information revealed in counseling sessions will remain confidential, except in cases of imminent danger to the client or another, when mandated by law, or when permission is granted to release information.
Client Records
Client records are secured in locked files and/or secured electronic files and accessed only by authorized personnel. Records are destroyed after seven years following the last client contact. Clients have the right to inspect and receive copies of their records; however, access to these records by the person receiving counseling may be restricted by the treating mental health professional during the course of treatment.
Release of Client Records
Individual client information may be released outside of the Counseling Center under the following circumstances:
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With Informed Consent: A client may request that specific information be sent to another entity. Prior to the disclosure, the client must sign a “Consent for Release of Information” form. Information unrelated to treatment will not be released.
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Without Informed Consent: Client information may be released without consent in the following situation:
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When there is clear and imminent danger of harm to oneself or another person. In these circumstances we are legally required to take action to protect life. Thus, our actions may include arranging for voluntary or involuntary hospitalization, notifying law enforcement authorities, and/or family/friends/individuals at risk.
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When a situation otherwise must be reported by law.
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Washington State law provides that the parents and/or spouse of a deceased patient has the right to access of their deceased child’s or spouse’s health care records.
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Email Communication
Due to the non-secure nature of email, the confidentiality of such communication cannot be ensured. Please note that staff members may not check email with regularity or frequency, and may not access email outside of Counseling Center hours. Therefore, be advised that your communication with the Counseling Center or your counselor may not receive a timely response if a response is indicated. Please use discretion when sending information that is sensitive in nature. In the event of an emergency, do not rely on email—contact 911, Whitman Security at 509-527-5777 or the Welty Health Center at 509-527-5281. For the most timely and confidential communication, please call the Counseling Center directly during business hours at 509-527-5195.